Los Angeles Soccer: Ryan Heins

An abysmal trip east ended in defeat for the L.A. Blues on Tuesday night, a 1-0 USL Pro decision at Richmond sending them to their franchise-record third successive loss.

Ryan Heins scored the goal for the Kickers (5-5-5), who vaulted the Blues and Harrisburg into fifth place in the third-division league's standings, squarely into playoff position.

The Blues (5-6-2), who lost late last week at Charlotte and Wilmington and have games Friday and Sunday at Cal State Fullerton against first-place Orlando City -- the reigning USL Pro champs -- dropped to seventh place and could fall as far as ninth if things don't turn this weekend. The top six teams advance to the postseason.

L.A., which started the second half of its campaign, has lost three in a row just once before: last year's playoff defeat at Harrisburg and shutout losses to Rochester in the first two games this season.

The game did not start well for the Blues, who lost captain Ricky Waddell in the 13th minute. He twisted his knee in a tackle, causing damage to his meniscus, and tests will be required when he returns home to determine the extent of the injury.

Israel Sesay hit the crossbar moments after coming on for Waddell. A Matt Fondy breakaway was thwarted by Henry Kalungi's fine defensive play in the 29th minute. Two more chances -- by Allan Russell just before halftime and Irving Garcia with about 15 minutes to go -- were just wide of the mark.

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Scott French

Orange County native Scott French has been writing about soccer for more than 30 years for dozens of publications and Web sites. He was senior editor at Soccer America and was managing editor of MajorLeagueSoccer Magazine from April 2007 until summer 2009. He has covered three World Cups for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Los Angeles Daily News, two Women's World Cups for Soccer America, the Olympic Games, European Championship, nine MLS Cups and all five professional women's championships.